"He is part of the family. In fact, when people ask if I own a monkey, no, I don't own a monkey, because he's my son. We have a monkey," Phelan said, "But I'm not taking it lightly. I do understand human life and protecting it and the risk."

She said the 40-pound monkey, who she's had for six years, jumped around the home and ate some Pringles, but didn’t mean to hurt anyone.